Poor Lucy: More than one widow lady.
We received a letter from Nigeria one day, which was signed "Poor Lucy". Lucy's story went like this: Lucy was the mother of four children in the jungles of Nigeria, far back in the hinterland, living in a small out of the way village mostly peopled by heathen. She invited Jesus to come into her life to be her Savior and Lord, and began living for Him. Then, her husband died, leaving her pregnant with triplets. Now, in her culture, widowhood is a disgrace, twins are considered a curse, and triplets even more so. In that culture, the widow's property and possessions revert to the husband's relatives. Lucy had a crop planted, but the brother of the dead husband, and his family, promised to take possession of Lucy's farm, just as soon as her crop was harvested. After that, 'Poor Lucy would be on her own to starve, along with her now 7 children." Lucy was taunted and teased by her heathen villagers. But Lucy came up with an idea that she believed was from the Lord. She had been a seamstress prior to her marriage, and believed that if God would give to her a singer sewing machine and some cloth, that she could support her and her children. So, she began asking, then thanking God for this request. She really believed that God would give this to her. Her village pastor had somehow received a copy of one of our books that we wrote, and, remembered that our address is there, so he took dictation from Lucy, and wrote to us, telling us this story, and asking us if we could somehow help her, and signed her letter, "Poor Lucy". I shared her letter with a businessman friend of ours who has contributed to our ministry, and he, along with his wife promised to pray about Lucy's need. Immediately after this, Bob was on an airplane, and decided to read a magazine, which fell open to a story and picture of a black woman in America, who had just received a Singer sewing machine and was making a living for herself and her children. Bob had asked me how much the project would cost and I told him "About $500". The story Bob was reading mentioned that same price. Bob and his wife wept tears of joy at this confirmation, and donated the money. I took that amount to Elijah Bankole, who, at great sacrifice for him and his family, purchased 2 Singer sewing machines, one electric and one non-electric, along with brightly colored bolts of cloth, and drove many miles to Lucy's village. For nearly 3 months since sending her letter, Lucy testified to her village and stood in faith that God would provide for her, while the village taunted and teased her and her children, that her expectations were foolish. Think of the glorious testimony to God, for Lucy's sweet vindication and provision from the Lord God of the Universe, Papa Yahweh!!! Copies of this dramatic and exciting story has been written into a lovely 30 page booklet, and can be ordered from